U.S. patent application number 16/814123 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for electrosurgical pencil with a protective guard.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Saumya Banerjee, Jacob C. Baril, Matthew A. Dinino, George S. Matta.
Application Number | 20200305954 16/814123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004705273 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200305954 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matta; George S. ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
ELECTROSURGICAL PENCIL WITH A PROTECTIVE GUARD
Abstract
An electrosurgical pencil includes a body. The body includes a
track extending along a distal end of the body. A treatment blade
extends from the distal end of the body and is electrically
connected to a first potential of a source of electrosurgical
energy. The treatment blade is configured to treat tissue upon
activation thereof. A protective guard is configured to slide along
a track between a first position concealing a distal end of the
treatment blade and a second position exposing the distal end of
the treatment blade. A return electrode is disposed on an exposed
surface of the protective guard. The return electrode is
electrically connected to a second potential of the source of
electrosurgical energy. A biasing member includes a first end
operably connected to the distal end of the body and a second end
operably connected to the protective guard.
Inventors: |
Matta; George S.;
(Plainville, MA) ; Baril; Jacob C.; (Norwalk,
CT) ; Dinino; Matthew A.; (Newington, CT) ;
Banerjee; Saumya; (Hamden, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004705273 |
Appl. No.: |
16/814123 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62823240 |
Mar 25, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 18/14 20130101;
A61B 2018/1412 20130101; A61B 2018/00589 20130101; A61B 2018/00601
20130101; A61B 18/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/14 20060101
A61B018/14; A61B 18/16 20060101 A61B018/16 |
Claims
1. An electrosurgical pencil, comprising: a body including a
proximal end and a distal end, the body including a track extending
along the distal end of the body; a treatment blade extending from
the distal end of the body and electrically connected to a first
potential of a source of electrosurgical energy, the treatment
blade configured to treat tissue upon activation thereof; a
protective guard slidably coupled to the distal end of the body and
operably engaged with the track, the protective guard configured to
slide along the track between a first position concealing a distal
end of the treatment blade and a second position exposing the
distal end of the treatment blade; a return electrode disposed on
an exposed surface of the protective guard, the return electrically
connected to a second potential of the source of electrosurgical
energy; and a biasing member including a first end operably
connected to the distal end of the body and a second end operably
connected to the protective guard, the biasing member configured to
bias the protective guard in the first position concealing the
distal end of the treatment blade.
2. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein the protective
guard is configured to expose the treatment blade when the
protective guard is forced against tissue.
3. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 2, wherein a distal end of
the protective guard is distally positioned with respect to the
distal end of the treatment blade when the protective guard is in
the first position concealing the distal end of the treatment
blade.
4. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the return electrode is configured to contact tissue
when pressure is applied to the protective guard to move the
protective guard from the first position concealing the distal end
of the treatment blade to the second position exposing the distal
end of the treatment blade.
5. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the return electrode extends along an outside of the
protective guard.
6. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 5, wherein at least a
portion of the return electrode extends along an outside of at
least a portion of the body.
7. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein the biasing
member is a spring.
8. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 7, wherein the spring is
positioned about the treatment blade.
9. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 8, wherein the spring
positioned about the treatment blade is spaced from the treatment
blade to prevent contact therewith.
10. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein the treatment
blade includes a mechanical profile to facilitate cutting.
11. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein the treatment
blade is electrically connected to a switch operably disposed on
the body, the switch activatable to supply electrosurgical energy
to the treatment blade using an energy algorithm.
12. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 11, wherein the energy
algorithm includes at least one of a cutting algorithm, a
coagulating algorithm or a blending algorithm.
13. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 1, wherein the protective
guard includes an opening defined therein configured to pass the
distal end of the treatment blade therethrough.
14. An electrosurgical pencil, comprising: a body including a
proximal end and a distal end, the body including a track extending
along the distal end of the body; a treatment blade extending from
the distal end of the body and electrically connected to a first
potential of a source of electrosurgical energy, the treatment
blade configured to treat tissue upon activation thereof; a
protective guard operably engaged with the track, the protective
guard configured to slide along the track between a first position
concealing a distal end of the treatment blade and a second
position exposing the distal end of the treatment blade; a return
electrode disposed on a surface of the protective guard, the return
electrode electrically connected to a second potential of the
source of electrosurgical energy; and a biasing member including a
first end operably connected to the distal end of the body and a
second end operably connected to the protective guard, the biasing
member configured to bias the protective guard in the first
position concealing the distal end of the treatment blade.
15. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 14, wherein the protective
guard is configured to expose the treatment blade when the
protective guard is forced against tissue.
16. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 15, wherein a distal end of
the protective guard is distally positioned with respect to the
distal end of the treatment blade when the protective guard is in
the first position concealing the distal end of the treatment
blade.
17. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 14, wherein at least a
portion of the return electrode is configured to contact tissue
when pressure is applied to the protective guard to move the
protective guard from the first position concealing the distal end
of the treatment blade to the second position exposing the distal
end of the treatment blade.
18. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 14, wherein the biasing
member is a spring positioned about the treatment blade.
19. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 18, wherein the spring
positioned about the treatment blade is spaced from the treatment
blade to prevent contact therewith.
20. The electrosurgical pencil of claim 18, wherein the treatment
blade includes a mechanical profile to facilitate cutting.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/823,240, filed on
Mar. 25, 2019. The entire contents of all of the foregoing
applications are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical
instrument, and more particularly, to an electrosurgical pencil
with a protective guard.
[0003] The coagulation of blood vessels is a necessary part of
medical surgery and can be performed by an electrosurgical
instrument commonly known as an electrosurgical pencil or
coagulator pencil. With this type of pencil, an electrically
conductive metal tip (e.g., in the form of a blade or a needle)
extends outwardly from the distal end of the body of the pencil,
the latter acting as a hand grip for a surgeon using the pencil. In
use, the tissue of a patient is typically electrically connected to
one side of an electrosurgical circuit via a return pad, and the
electrically conductive tip is typically connected to the other
side of the same circuit. When the metal tip touches or is near the
tissue at the surgical site, a high frequency electrical current
flows from the electrode to the tissue, thus coagulating and
cauterizing the tissue.
[0004] Typical electrosurgical pencils allow the surgeon to change
between two pre-configured settings (e.g., coagulation and cutting)
via two discrete buttons disposed on the electrosurgical pencil
itself. Other electrosurgical pencils allow the surgeon to
increment the power applied when the coagulating or cutting
activation button of the instrument is actuated by adjusting or
closing a switch on the electrosurgical generator utilizing a
potentiometer circuit. Still other electrosurgical pencils offer a
third button which provides a so-called "blend" waveform or
algorithm generally between the cutting waveform and the
coagulation waveform.
SUMMARY
[0005] An electrosurgical pencil provided in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure includes a body including a
proximal end and a distal end. The body includes a track extending
along the distal end of the body. A treatment blade extends from
the distal end of the body and is electrically connected to a first
potential of a source of electrosurgical energy. The treatment
blade is configured to treat tissue upon activation thereof. A
protective guard is slidably coupled to the distal end of the body
and is operably engaged with the track. The protective guard is
configured to slide along the track between a first position
concealing a distal end of the treatment blade and a second
position exposing the distal end of the treatment blade. A return
electrode is disposed on an exposed surface of the protective
guard. The return electrode is electrically connected to a second
potential of the source of electrosurgical energy. A biasing member
includes a first end operably connected to the distal end of the
body and a second end operably connected to the protective guard.
The biasing member is configured to bias the protective guard in
the first position concealing the distal end of the treatment
blade.
[0006] The protective guard is configured to expose the treatment
blade when the protective guard is forced against tissue. A distal
end of the protective guard is distally positioned with respect to
the distal end of the treatment blade when the protective guard is
in the first position concealing the distal end of the treatment
blade.
[0007] In aspects according to the present disclosure, at least a
portion of the return electrode is configured to contact tissue
when pressure is applied to the protective guard to move the
protective guard from the first position concealing the distal end
of the treatment blade to the second position exposing the distal
end of the treatment blade. At least a portion of the return
electrode extends along an outside of the protective guard. At
least a portion of the return electrode extends along an outside of
at least a portion of the body.
[0008] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the biasing
member is a spring. The spring is positioned about the treatment
blade. The spring positioned about the treatment blade is spaced
from the treatment blade to prevent contact therewith.
[0009] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the
treatment blade includes a mechanical profile to facilitate
cutting.
[0010] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the
treatment blade is electrically connected to a switch operably
disposed on the body. The switch is activatable to supply
electrosurgical energy to the treatment blade using an energy
algorithm. The energy algorithm includes at least one of a cutting
algorithm, a coagulating algorithm or a blending algorithm.
[0011] In aspects according to the present disclosure, the
protective guard includes an opening defined therein configured to
pass the distal end of the treatment blade therethrough.
[0012] An electrosurgical pencil provided in accordance with
another aspect of the present disclosure includes a body including
a proximal end and a distal end. The body includes a track
extending along the distal end of the body. A treatment blade
extends from the distal end of the body and is electrically
connected to a first potential of a source of electrosurgical
energy. The treatment blade is configured to treat tissue upon
activation thereof. A protective guard is operably engaged with the
track. The protective guard is configured to slide along the track
between a first position concealing a distal end of the treatment
blade and a second position exposing the distal end of the
treatment blade. A return electrode is disposed on a surface of the
protective guard. The return electrode is electrically connected to
a second potential of the source of electrosurgical energy. A
biasing member includes a first end operably connected to the
distal end of the body and a second end operably connected to the
protective guard. The biasing member is configured to bias the
protective guard in the first position concealing the distal end of
the treatment blade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description
below, serve to further explain the present disclosure, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical pencil
including a protective guard according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of the
electrosurgical pencil of FIG. 1 with the protective guard
concealing a distal end of a treatment blade;
[0016] FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of the
electrosurgical pencil of FIG. 1 with the protective guard exposing
a distal end of a treatment blade; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an exemplary biasing member
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion that
is being described which is further from a user, while the term
"proximal" refers to the portion that is being described which is
closer to a user. Further, to the extent consistent, any of the
aspects and features detailed herein may be used in conjunction
with any or all of the other aspects and features detailed
herein.
[0019] As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are
understood to include relative configurations that are
substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about
+ or -10 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular.
[0020] "About" or "approximately" as used herein may be inclusive
of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of
variation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary
skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the
error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (e.g.,
the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about"
may mean within one or more standard variations, or within .+-.30%,
20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.
[0021] Descriptions of technical features or aspects of an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure should typically be
considered as available and applicable to other similar features or
aspects in another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, technical features described herein according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applicable to
other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus
duplicative descriptions may be omitted herein.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described more fully below (e.g., with reference to the
accompanying drawings). Like reference numerals may refer to like
elements throughout the specification and drawings. The terms
"electrostatic pencil" and "electrostatic pen" may be used
interchangeably herein.
[0023] Turning initially to FIG. 1, an electrosurgical pencil 10
including a protective guard 104 is shown according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] Electrosurgical pencil 10 includes a body 101 having a
proximal end 101a and a distal end 101b. The body 101 includes a
track 102 extending along the distal end 101b of the body 101. A
treatment blade 103 extends from the distal end 101b of the body
101. The treatment blade 103 is electrically connected to a first
potential of a source of electrosurgical energy, e.g., generator
500, and is configured to treat tissue upon activation thereof.
[0025] The protective guard 104 is slidably coupled to the distal
end 101b of the body and is operably engaged with the track 102.
Protective guard 104 is configured to slide along the track 102
between a first position concealing the distal end 103b of the
treatment blade 103 (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) and a second position
exposing the distal end 103b of the treatment blade 103 (see, e.g.,
FIG. 2B). The track 102 may include a first track 102a and a second
track 102b. The first and second tracks 102a and 102b may be
positioned at opposite sides of the distal end 101b of the body
101.
[0026] The protective guard 104 includes an opening 109 defined
therein configured to pass the distal end 103b of the treatment
blade 103 therethrough. The opening 109 faces away from the body
101.
[0027] A return electrode 105 is disposed on an exposed surface
104a of the protective guard 104 and is electrically connected to a
second potential of the source of electrosurgical energy, e.g.,
generator 500. A biasing member 107 is operably coupled to the
protective guard 104 and includes a first end 107a operably
connected to the distal end 101b of the body 101 and a second end
107b operably connected to the protective guard 104. The biasing
member 107 is configured to bias the protective guard 104 in the
first position (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) concealing the distal end 103b
of the treatment blade 103.
[0028] The exposed surface 104a of the protective guard 104 may
face away from the body 101 and thus may be positioned to directly
contact tissue. Thus, contact between the return electrode 104 and
the contacted tissue may be constantly maintained.
[0029] The protective guard 104 is configured to expose the
treatment blade 103 through opening 109 when the protective guard
104 is forced against tissue. A distal end 104b of the protective
guard 104 is distally positioned with respect to the distal end
103b of the treatment blade 103 when the protective guard 104 is in
the first position concealing the distal end 103b of the treatment
blade 103. Thus, the distal end 103b of the treatment blade 103 is
recessed inside the opening 109 to protect the treatment blade 103
and to prevent undesired contact with the treatment blade 103
(e.g., by adjacent tissue), such as when the treatment blade 103 is
in the second position (see, e.g., FIG. 2B).
[0030] At least a portion of the return electrode 105 (e.g., the
portion of the return electrode 105 disposed on the exposed surface
104a of the protective guard 104) is configured to contact tissue
when pressure is applied to the protective guard 104 to move the
protective guard 104 from the first position concealing the distal
end 103b of the treatment blade 103 to the second position exposing
the distal end 103b of the treatment blade 103. At least a portion
of the return electrode 105 may be configured to extend along an
outside of the protective guard 104. At least a portion of the
return electrode 105 may be configured to extend along an outside
of the body 101. The return electrode 105 may be attached to a
portion of the protective guard 104 such that the return electrode
slides with the protective guard 104 along the track 102.
[0031] The biasing member 107 may be a spring (e.g., a compression
spring, such as the compression spring 301 described in more detail
below with reference to FIG. 3). The biasing member 107 may be
positioned about the treatment blade 103or may be spaced from the
treatment blade 103 to prevent contact therewith.
[0032] The treatment blade 103 may include a mechanical profile to
facilitate cutting. For example, the treatment blade 103 may have a
sharp tip formed at the distal end 103b thereof.
[0033] The treatment blade 103 is electrically connected to a
switch 50 operably disposed on the body 101. The switch 50 is
activatable to supply electrosurgical energy to the treatment blade
103 using an energy algorithm. The energy algorithm includes a
cutting algorithm, a coagulating algorithm and/or a blending
algorithm. The switch 50 is described in more detail below.
[0034] As mentioned above, treatment blade 103 extends from the
distal end 101b of body 101 and is configured to connect to
electrosurgical energy source 500 via one or more leads extending
through body 101 and through a cable 400 extending from proximal
end 101a of body 101. Treatment blade 103 may be configured to
electrically cut tissue but may also include a mechanical edge
(e.g., a sharp tip) to facilitate same. Treatment blade 103 may
include an insulator 103a disposed at a proximal end thereof
configured to insulate the body 101 and other parts of the
electrosurgical pencil 10 from stray electrical currents during
activation.
[0035] As mentioned above, pencil 10 also includes a switch, e.g.,
toggle switch 50, that includes distal and proximal ends 50a and
50b. Any type of switch 50 or switches may be employed depending on
a particular surgical purpose of a particular surgical need. As
shown, toggle switch 50 is configured to electrically communicate
with the electrosurgical energy source 500 (e.g., a generator) to
selectively supply energy to the treatment blade 103. When toggled
in the distal direction, e.g., toward distal end 50a, an electrical
cutting algorithm is generated by the electrosurgical energy source
500. When toggled in the proximal direction, e.g., toward proximal
end 50b, an electrical coagulating algorithm is generated by the
electrosurgical energy source 500. Other electrical algorithms may
be utilized with other switch types or multiple switch
arrangements. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,244,257, 7,156,842
detail various such switch arrangements for use with
electrosurgical pencils, the entire contents of each of which being
incorporated by reference herein.
[0036] The treatment blade 103 may include a non-stick coating to
reduce tissue adhesion, thus preventing undesired damage to tissue.
As an example, the outer surface of the treatment blade 103 may
include a nickel-based material. The treatment blade 103 may be
formed by coating a base layer, stamping a desired shape, or metal
injection molding. The non-stick coating is designed to reduce
adhesion between the treatment blade 103 (and/or components
thereof) with the surrounding tissue during activation and cutting.
As an example, the non-stick coating may include nickel-chrome,
chromium nitride, MedCoat 2000 manufactured by The Electrolizing
Corporation of OHIO, inconel 600 or tin-nickel. Other tissue
contacting surfaces, e.g., return electrode 105 may also be coated
with one or more of the above materials to achieve the same result,
i.e., a "non-stick surface." These non-stick materials are of a
class of materials that provide a smooth surface to prevent
mechanical tooth adhesions. Reducing the amount that the tissue
"sticks" during treatment improves the overall efficacy of the
electrosurgical pencil 10 described herein.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the biasing member 107 may be a spring
301 (e.g., a compression spring). Spring 301 may be positioned
about the treatment blade 103 or may be spaced from the treatment
blade 103 to prevent contact therewith. The spring 301 may include
a first end 301a and a second end 301b opposite the first end 301a.
The first end 301a of the spring 301 may be attached to the distal
end 101b of body 101. The second end 301b of the spring 301 may be
attached to the protective guard 104. Thus, the spring 301 may be
used to bias the protective guard 104 into the first position (see,
e.g., FIG. 2A).
[0038] During use, a surgeon may orient the electrosurgical pencil
10 to treat tissue (e.g., coagulate, blend, cut) and push the
protective guard 104 against the tissue. The exposed surface 104a
including opening 109 of the protective guard 104 forces the
protective guard 104 to expose the treatment blade 103, e.g.,
cutting blade, by passing the treatment blade 103 through opening
109 and into tissue. Energy is then applied by toggling switch 50
in the desired direction to treat tissue. Once tissue treatment is
completed, the toggle switch 50 may be activated again to apply a
different energy modality or the surgeon can simply disengage the
tissue to automatically return (via the bias of spring 301) the
protective guard 104 to the closed position about the treatment
blade 103.
[0039] The protective guard 104 may be configured as an accessory
component configured to be connected to a body of traditional
electrosurgical pencil, e.g., added to a pre-existing
electrosurgical pencil as an add-on component. Alternatively, the
protective guard 104 may be an integrally formed feature of
electrosurgical pencil 10.
[0040] The various embodiments disclosed herein may also be
configured to work with robotic surgical systems and what is
commonly referred to as "Telesurgery." Such systems employ various
robotic elements to assist the surgeon and allow remote operation
(or partial remote operation) of surgical instrumentation. Various
robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors,
etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed with a
robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon during the course of
an operation or treatment. Such robotic systems may include
remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical
systems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating
surgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively
configurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.
[0041] The robotic surgical systems may be employed with one or
more consoles that are next to the operating theater or located in
a remote location. In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses
may prep the patient for surgery and configure the robotic surgical
system with one or more of the instruments disclosed herein while
another surgeon (or group of surgeons) remotely controls the
instruments via the robotic surgical system. As can be appreciated,
a highly skilled surgeon may perform multiple operations in
multiple locations without leaving his/her remote console which can
be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patient or a
series of patients.
[0042] The robotic arms of the surgical system are typically
coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles
can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of
the working ends of any type of surgical instrument (e.g., end
effectors, graspers, knifes, scissors, etc.) which may complement
the use of one or more of the embodiments described herein. The
movement of the master handles may be scaled so that the working
ends have a corresponding movement that is different, smaller or
larger, than the movement performed by the operating hands of the
surgeon. The scale factor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so
that the operator can control the resolution of the working ends of
the surgical instrument(s).
[0043] The master handles may include various sensors to provide
feedback to the surgeon relating to various tissue parameters or
conditions, e.g., tissue resistance due to manipulation, cutting or
otherwise treating, pressure by the instrument onto the tissue,
tissue temperature, tissue impedance, etc. As can be appreciated,
such sensors provide the surgeon with enhanced tactile feedback
simulating actual operating conditions. The master handles may also
include a variety of different actuators for delicate tissue
manipulation or treatment further enhancing the surgeon's ability
to mimic actual operating conditions.
[0044] From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure
drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain
modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without
departing from the scope of the same. While several embodiments of
the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended
that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the
disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the
specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description
should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications
of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision
other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims
appended hereto.
* * * * *